Snapdragon X105 is here: The modem to power Galaxy S27 and OnePlus 16?

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon X105 modem, expected to be paired with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset.
• The new modem delivers 5G connectivity over satellite and faster download speeds.
• The Snapdragon X105 also uses NB‑IoT as a failover network in areas like elevators and parking garages.

Introduction

Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon X85 cellular modem a year ago, and it ended up inside the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. We expected the Snapdragon X95 to be the next modem, but Qualcomm has actually released the Snapdragon X105 instead.

Qualcomm said the X105 effectively skips a generation with its name, owing to the upgrades it offers over the X85 modem. So what are the most notable features worth knowing?

Key Features

• Release 19‑capable – First modem supporting Release 19.
• NR‑NTN (Non‑Terrestrial Network) support – Enables 5G over satellite for data, video, and voice, expanding off‑grid use cases. This follows recent smartphones that offered SOS functionality and limited satellite messaging.
• NB‑IoT failover – In environments lacking satellite or terrestrial coverage (e.g., elevators, parking garages), the modem can fall back to NB‑IoT networks, primarily for messaging services such as RCS and OTT apps.
• Speed improvements – Peak downlink speeds of 14.8 Gbps (13.2 Gbps on sub‑6 GHz only) and peak uplink speeds of 4.2 Gbps, compared with 12.5 Gbps down / 3.7 Gbps up on the X85.
• Agentic AI support – Integrated AI and predictive sensing software, plus APIs for OEMs to enhance connectivity for chat apps and AI chatbots, aiming for lower latency and better battery life.
• Power‑efficient RF transceiver – Built on a 6 nm process, consuming ~30 % less power than previous designs, with overall modem power savings of up to 25 %.
• Quad‑frequency GNSS – Improves location accuracy.

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Qualcomm hasn’t revealed a launch timeline for the X105, but it’s expected to debut alongside the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset. Historically, Qualcomm unveils its flagship processors in October, though the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 arrived in late September. Expect a waiting period before phones featuring this modem become available.